Shloka 30
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation
Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17
भूमिर्हिरण्यं रूप्यं च विग्रहे कारणानि च।अत्र कस्ते वने लोभो मदीयेषु फलेषु वा।।
bhūmir hiraṇyaṃ rūpyaṃ ca vigrahe kāraṇāni ca | atra kas te vane lobho madīyeṣu phaleṣu vā || 4.17.30 ||
भूमिः हिरण्यं रूप्यं च—एतानि वै विग्रहस्य कारणानि। अत्र तु वने तव कः लोभः? मदीयेषु स्वेषु वा, अथवा फलेष्वेव?
'Submissiveness and modesty are the attributes of good rulers and should not be mixed up with benevolence and self-restraint. Kings ought not to act (as they like) impulsively.
FAQs
Right intention: violence requires a legitimate cause; greed or trivial gain cannot justify killing.
Vāli questions Rāma’s motive, noting that typical royal motives (territory, wealth) do not apply in a forest setting.
Discerning justice: a ruler must act from lawful duty, not from appetite or baseless hostility.